Food Brings Families Together: Irish Soda Bread

Like crooked teeth or wavy hair, family recipes enjoy constant re-invention as they are passed down from generation to generation.

Some family recipes live on for centuries, like my maternal family’s mint-infused take on traditional pierogies, while other culinary quirks are best enjoyed by immediate family members, namely my brothers’ collective penchant for anything lathered in sour cream.

We recently asked our Facebook friends if they had a family recipe that’s been passed down to you. We were inspired by Erin Hilburn‘s response of “100-year old Irish Soda Bread.” A recipe over 100 years old?! That must be some delicious soda bread!

Combine flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and baking soda. Blend egg and buttermilk together, and add all at once to the flour mixture. Mix just until moistened. Stir in butter. Pour into prepared pan.

Bake for 65 – 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the bread comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Wrap in foil for several hours, or overnight, for best flavor.

Does your grandmother make an amazing chocolate cake? Is your uncle known for his spicy chili? Share your recipe suggestions with us in the comments below, and keep your eyes on the ModCloth Blog this week for more international recipes!

Cut the challah into 1″ slices and let it get stale over night. The next day, roll each piece in the batter mixture until all of it is completely soaked up. Fry in a pan et voila! You have a Jewish take on French Toast!